Traffic Chief blames roundabout chaos on reckless drivers

…says motorists still flouting rules

With scores of persons raising concerns about traffic congestion at roundabouts across Guyana, Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent Mahendra Singh has grounded his views in the fact that the country’s road education system emphasises the correct procedures for navigating roundabouts and any misuse of them lies solely with drivers and their particular. He argued that the challenges associated with roundabouts in Guyana have less to do with infrastructure and training and more to do with drivers’ behaviour and attitudes toward following the rules of the road.
Contacted by this publication on Tuesday, the Traffic Chief confirmed that with the country’s evolving road network, including the addition of more roundabouts, drivers are now being taught how to properly navigate them.

The senior officer explained that the teaching and manuals provided to prospective drivers in Guyana already contain all the necessary instructions to safely navigate roundabouts. These, he said, cover everything from the use of road signs to yielding, stopping and turning procedures. Despite this, many licensed drivers continue to struggle when approaching the circular intersections.
“The teachings in our manual for drivers or prospective drivers contain all the information. It speaks to our yield, it speaks to our stop, it speaks to everything — left or right turns,” Singh said. The Traffic Chief then raised the pressing question of why certified drivers, who have undergone both theoretical and practical training, still fail to comply with the rules of the road. He stated that the probability is due to a lack of knowledge in which persons are not aware of the right things to do or are simply intentional about doing the wrong things on the road. Singh explained that the issue cannot be blamed on the police training system or the manuals. Instead, he pointed to driver conduct and attitudes as the leading contributors to crashes at roundabouts and other intersections. “If you look at the accident reference, you will get the distinct impression that the driver’s behaviour, attitude and conduct is what is leading to non-conformity and accident occurrence,” the Superintendent explained. Adding to the discussion, Singh noted that Guyana’s driver population has become increasingly diverse, with locals sharing the road alongside foreign nationals and regional visitors. Interestingly, he observed, foreigners and regional drivers are less frequently involved in accidents compared to their Guyanese counterparts. “Our population of drivers now is made up of local, foreign and regional people. When you look at the mix, there isn’t so much of an accident with a foreigner or regional person,” Singh pointed out. Roundabouts, he stressed, are internationally recognised as safer alternatives to traditional four-corner intersections. They reduce speed, encourage continuous movement and promote observance of the traffic environment. “Around the world, roundabouts are safer than the regular intersection with four corners. Because traffic slows continuously, what it does is break the speed, it allows you to progress in a safe way, being observant to all that is happening,” he said. The Traffic Chief concluded that Guyanese drivers must adjust their approach and discipline on the roads. Too often, he added, motorists attempt to push ahead without giving way, creating unnecessary risks.